Roar travel to Perth without North

Date: January 25 2013

In another blow to the battling A-League champions, Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey has confirmed Socceroos defender Jade North will not travel with the team for Saturday night's crunch clash with arch rivals the Glory in Perth.

North is yet to prove his fitness since recently signing a three-and-a-half season deal with second-last Brisbane.

He will be sidelined along with injured captain Matt Smith (hip) and suspended duo Shane Stefanutto and Besart Berisha - not an ideal situation for the Roar who have lost 10 of their 17 games.

"Jade will be staying home. He is not ready yet. He will have a couple of conditioning sessions while we are away," Mulvey said on Friday.

"We are very hopeful of having him on the paddock for our next game against Central Coast."

Mulvey believed Ben Halloran could slot in as their strike weapon in Berisha's absence and backed fellow young gun Corey Brown to help fill the gaping hole in defence created by Smith and Stefanutto's unavailability.

Australian under-20 representative Brown's only other start for the Roar was in last year's AFC Champions League.

He got his first taste of A-League action in a brief but impressive second-half stint in Brisbane's 2-1 home loss to Western Sydney last weekend.

"One thing Ben offers is searing pace. We would like to deploy him as a central striker and see what effect that has on the opposition," Mulvey said.

"I am confident our youngsters will take their opportunities.

"We saw last week Corey (Brown) coming on and acquitting himself quite well and I am willing to back him."

Mulvey said Smith would know if he had to endure season-ending surgery after visiting a specialist next Friday.

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